Merry Christmas

Sub for Santa

In his Math of Personal Finance class, Nate's and his friends were asked to raise money for a needy family with 3 children. After raising a substantial amount of money, they went shopping, wrapped and delivered the gifts requested by the family. Because the mother had only asked for basic clothing and school items for her children, Nate and buddies had fun adding in a few toys and fun things for the kids too.

However, when they delivered the gifts, they discovered that the family had 11 children! This humble mother didn't feel she could ask for too much, so she just made requests for the children most in need.

With only days until Christmas, Nate and his friends were spurred into a fund raising frenzy. They went back to class and told everyone about the situation. Asking everyone to dig a little deeper into their pockets. Coming up with silly stunts and other creative ideas to raise funds. They managed to raise more than enough to get all the children gifts as well as food and WalMart gift cards for the Mother. Nate said it felt so great to have meet this amazing woman and share a little this Christmas with their family.

Each year our little family picks another family to be a "Secret Santa" to. It has been a great experience for our kids. But, I think this year was different for Nate. He did everything with his friends and no adult help. It made it so much more meaningful for him. I am really grateful for Nate's teacher. He is teaching not only teaching them in real life terms, with real life experiences, how to manage money but also how to live a full and fulfilling life.

Santa Steve

Steve was asked to play Santa at the Special Needs Mutual Christmas Activity. Ty hopped in for a pic.

Eric Sr. BBall

Crunch

November has been a rough month.

• Ty turned 20 AT HOME not in Texas.
  
• The Jeep was making a strange noise - $300 brake repair.
  
• Then the truck wouldn't start and I towed Steve to the shop (white knuckles) - drop off truck, pick up Jeep. Truck needed a new starter - $400.
  
• Before truck is done, Acura brakes start squealing. Pick up Truck, drop off Acura- $200 brake job.
• My dependable Excursion needed it's annual inspection. And, of course, it needed a minor repair!

I thought the drama was over once we had taken every car we own to the shop in one month! Then as Eric is picking up some dinner from Cafe Rio, a guy in a big truck pulls out of the parking space he is backed into and runs right into the side of Eric. SO....

now off the the body shop! I can't wait for December!

Bingham Ball

Time to get on your Tux and go to Bingham Ball.

Looking snappy!






















Nate went with Brandi Johnson























Eric went with Molly.

Happy 20th Ty

Happy Halloween

Lack of wisdom X 2

Eric & Nate both had their wisdom teeth out. Thought doing 2 at once was a good idea.... NOT. With two giant, hungry, drugged boys to drag around, things got a little hairy for a minute. Luckily, after a quick call to Steve, he dropped everything and came home to pick up prescriptions, applesauce, jello and other supplies. A week later the bill came. Let's just say I am encouraging at least one of my kids to become an oral surgeon!

Donut Falls

Happy 18th Eric

Night of Dance

Ty had to attend a dance performance at BYU for his Humanities class. I got to be his date!

Heartbreak

Ty was contacted by Utah State. They were slim at the QB position and asked if he could come play. Ty was elated at the invitation. He told the coaches he planned on retuning to Texas after the season. They were fine with that, so he packed his gear and we drove to Logan.











Once we arrived we met with the academic adviser. Ty had not been cleared by the NCAA. He was 2 core credits short of qualifying to play at a division one school. He was heartbroken. He now has to attend a 4 year university and obtain 24 credit hours to be able to qualify as a college athlete.



He is now enrolling at UVU to obtain 15 credits now and the rest after he returns.

Home again

As fall approaches Ty has decided to return home and attend school. It was a sad goodbye for his sweet Gilleland cousins. Thanks again John & Michelle for keeping him busy this summer!

Fan Club

Attending Bingham football games have become a tradition in our family. One of the most entertaining parts is the student section. They come up with the greatest chants and cheers. Nate and his buddies were getting ready for the first big game of the season. They crack me up!

Ice Cream Anyone

One of our favorite things to do on a hot summer day - go to Macey's for a KONG CONE. The name says it all...













































YES, they do eat the whole thing!

Afternoon in the mountains

Nate & I went on a hike today. He is so fun to be with. We hiked and chatted. Then I taught him how to flip the tops off mountain Black-eyed Susan that had lost their petals. Conversations over... just target practice from then on. Love that kid!

Durango

Ty went to Durango to stay with my amazing sis Michelle. Michelle and John generously allowed him to work for their company C & J Gravel. He will learn many new skills and spend time with his cousins. We left him in Durango after our family reunion.

Here we are at Jackson's (John & Michelle's 4th child) baptism. I love my family!

Ross Reunion 2011

Mesa Verde





















































Boating

Youth Conf.

Week 1

Yesterday was Sunday. The Stake President suggested Ty stand at the beginning of Sacrament Meeting and let the ward know why he is home for a little while. I was amazed at his composure. He stood and said it was weird to be here. He told us that he had learned of true conversion and gained a testimony of the Atonement. He has some things he needs to take care of and then he is heading back out. Then he bore testimony of the Saviors love for each of us and the trust he has in the Lord. He spoke with such humility and yet with authority and conviction.

I have gotten to know a different side of Ty the last few days. He is so changed and yet so the same. There is a trail of possessions all over the house. Just like a small child coming in from playing in the snow. I can follow the trail of clothing, shoes, books, and see where he has been. Eric said, “I can tell Ty is back, I keep finding my stuff all over the house.” Ty will share anything he has with his brothers, friends, or anyone who asks. I guess he thinks everyone shares his unconditional ‘what’s mine is yours’ attitude because he just takes what he needs and uses it, then leaves it where he finished. There is a guitar in the living room, ukulele in the bathroom, clothes on the floor, camera on the table. His easy going personality is still intact.

Along with his unconditional love and sharing has come a deep and abiding trust in the Lord. He just keeps telling me, “Mom, just trust in God and everything will work out fine. That’s what it says in my favorite scripture in Proverbs 3:5-6 ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ I feel such peace and I know I have made the right decision. The Lord will take care of everything.“

He has already been in touch with several friends. Nate, one of his closest friends, who is preparing to leave in Sept. was feeling lonely as all his closest friends had left on their missions. Ty said he is going to teach him everything he has learned. Derek, a football teammate, who came home from his mission a couple months ago, was losing desire to return. Ty chatted with him online last night and said he was trying to convince him to get back out. He said he thought Derek really listened. Also on facebook were several of his investigators and ward members from Abliene. He chatted with each of them about attending their meetings and keeping faith.

Before he left, the mission president gave several missionaries permission to call, text and keep in touch with Ty. The missionaries in his area called him about Rhea. She has committed to baptism and is devastated Ty won’t be there. She asked if she could buy him a plane ticket and still have him there. Another set of missionaries also wanted to check in with him. Ty sent them a text on my phone to let them know when to call. They texted back while he was on the phone so I responded back, letting them know he would call later. They were so sweet. The elder texting me said, “Your son is awesome. He changed my life.” They kept texting, asking when he would call. They really wanted to know how things were going and if he was okay. Ty finally called them right before bed but it went straight to voicemail. The phone rang right as we were kneeling down for family prayer. Ty assumed it was the missionaries calling back when our caller id said ‘LDS Mission’. He picked up the phone and without saying hello, said, “Hey can I call you back in like 2 minutes?” It was President Robison on the other end. Ty was so embarrassed. We laughed and told him to take the call. He had a great talk with the president.

He is so committed right now. He wants to teach and help everyone around him. I know this enthusiasm will probably fade, but right now I am so glad to see his testimony radiate in his everyday actions. He has truly had a mighty change of heart. He has felt the love of our Savior and felt the Atonement in his life.

Elder Hannay is Home

My heart is broken as I deliver this news. Ty had some issues that he didn’t fully take care of before leaving on his mission. Because he is immersed in the work of bringing people to Christ and helping them change their lives, he has realized he needs to get his own life in order. He went to his mission president knowing full well he could be sent home. After discussion with General Authorities, the decision was made to send him home. However, he will be eligible to return after 6 months.

When our Stake President called with this news last night I went through many emotions. The first was actually pride. I was so proud of Ty for making this difficult decision. He faces a long 6 months of repentance, judgment, temptation, and sadness. I feel he has experienced true conversion over the last 6 months and wants to make things right with the Lord. The second emotion was disbelief. I couldn’t really imagine picking Ty up from the airport under these circumstances. No posters, balloons, family, celebrations, just Steve and me picking him up at the terminal. This thought led me to sadness. Deep, gut wrenching sadness. My heart aches for my sweet little boy. He is so kind and so wonderful. To think of him suffering is almost too much to bear.

The next few months will be critical for Ty. We are going to try to make our home like a “mission”. No more wasting time with trivial worldly things. Our focus will be to get him back out. I know this is his goal now, but I also know temptations will come his way. He was an excellent missionary. In speaking to Steve, the mission president said, “Ty was a great missionary. The members love him, the elders love him. He was the youngest district leader I have had in the mission. He was a great leader and a hard worker. I have never seen a more humble and contrite young man, than approached me on Saturday. I have only had 2 missionaries that I have sent home that I really thought would return. One has just returned and the other is Ty.” The mission president actually comes home to Bountiful, UT in 2 weeks. He has committed to us that he will meet with Ty regularly and encourage him to the best of his ability.

We really need your love and prayers. Usually when changes or challenges come my way, I go into “planning mode.” It is part of my nature and genetic make up to prepare and organize. I have pretty much just sat in the guest room staring at the walls and cried the entire morning. I am so afraid for Ty. I love him so much. I can’t imagine him back home. Home is not where he supposed to be right now.

2 years

I can't believe my little Lauren has been married for 2 years. Happy Anniversary beautiful girl!

May Recap

Ty has been not so great at the letter writing thing lately. I have gotten a brief email each week, but no letters. Here is a recap of the last few weeks...

May 19th
I am loving it out here. I am being so bold I love it. You just quote all these scriptures in the bible and people think you are way smart hahah its so funny. BUT guess what!!!!???? I am baptizing someone in a lake this Sunday. It's gonna be so cool. He lives in a small town called Anson 30 minutes out of Abilene. His name is Renea. He is so cool. He is one of the 30 people we are going to baptize there haha. I will send you pics after. I just am having so much fun. We are just always busy. My new comp. is Elder Pennington. He was in the same room as me in the MTC. He is an awesome kid and a hard worker.


















May 26th
The baptism didn't happen cuz he can't get to church. We are doing our best to get him a ride and stuff but I don't know if it will happen until we get a branch out there. Gosh I miss you guys. Me and Elder Simmons are making a missionary ukulele CD that I will send home when we are done. It is going to be so tight. But the work here is great. We just got one of our investigators married so they can get baptized. We have about 6 solid people we are teaching right now. I hope they get baptized I am so excited for them. :) I love the work. It feels so good to come home and just be so tired from working hard all day and crash knowing you worked your butt off. This is a pic of me and Elder Murdock. He went to Olympus High School.


















June 2nd
I just got my district leader call! Abilene is still going really good we are having a baptism with a girl named Raya this Wednesday. She is awesome. She has met with the missionaries for 9 months. She is giving up smoking and drinking. Her life has changed so much, she is great. I got a new companion Elder Whitear. He is a nice kid. I just met him yesterday. He is a hard worker and everything is going to be great :)

Here is a couple more pics he sent. I don't know who they are??? Ty didn't label them. But it's fun to see him....

Happy B-Day Devin

We had a BBQ for Devin's B-day on Sunday. The Gillelands were up from Durango so we celebrated Jebb's b-day as well. Unfortunately Salt Lake has had the wettest May ever recorded and we were rained out!! We hung the banners inside and still had a fun night!